family session prep info

Important information for your family session

Please read for guidance on how to prepare and what to bring for your family session. If you have any questions at all you can definitely email me :)

For Date and Time confirmation please check the email I sent you that had this link in it! :)

Location: 7139 rue Briand, Montreal, QC H4E3L8 (ville émard)

What to do if I am early ?

Please do your best to be exactly on time, because being early could encroach on the client before you, or rush my break I take between each session to regroup, set things back up, and take a little breather.

What to do if I am late?

Hey it happens! I am rarely on time (except for sessions haha), so no judgement here, text me at 514-462-1960 with an estimate on when you will arrive. Please note: because this session is short and back to back with other clients, we can try and accommodate you either within the remaining time of your session, or if need be we can fit you in between clients for the following sessions.

What if I can’t make my session time at all?

Please let me know at least 48 hours beforehand, so that I can offer your time slot to someone else. If you cannot make it due to illness, we will definitely try to reschedule you, it will depend on my availability.

Information on the session itself:

The session is booked out for 20 minutes and trust that I will have gotten everything we needed for the session even if it feels super quick. Keep in mind I am not a huge fan of “regular” portrait sessions; photos of everyone posing and smiling at the camera, while lovely, are not the priority of these sessions. This is about your relationship with your family, so the encouragement is to not look at the camera and instead just enjoy each other. I will still be guiding you on where and how to sit or stand for ideal lighting and flattering angles, but the rest of it will be all you and your loves. Bring things that you won’t mind being in the photos that you and your child love to do! Puzzles, favourite stuffies, books, bubbles, whatever will make both of you enter into your own little world.

the vibe is so important…

First off, if your child is at the age where nap times really matter for their general mood, we can always push your session earlier or later if you are worried about little meltdowns, just let me know!

Often when my mama clients arrive they are a ball of anxiety, and I completely understand! When you come to this session you may have worries about how your kid will act, whether you will look good in the photos, whether your kid will refuse to play along, and this is completely normal! There is very little you can control about this session, especially if your child is pretty young. So trust that I will be able to capture the most flattering angles of you, and as for the rest, I have tips and tricks that can help you to get your little one on board with doing some playful time or sweet snuggles. If you come feeling calm, confident and just focused on being present with your family, you will see that the moods will definitely be more positive. If you put less emphasis on the fact that we are taking photos, and more emphasis on you wanting to just play with them and spend time with them, and that Miss Reina will be taking photos of that play-time, you might have some serial pouters giving huge smiles!

So deep breaths, we got this.

What to wear

As usual, I have plenty of dresses for you to choose from if you have nothing you feel comfy wearing for this. I also have outfits for kiddos from 0 -10 years old (mostly for girls, but I do have outfits for boys up to 2 years old). If you would like to confirm my available outfits please reply to the prep email I sent this link in, and let me know your concerns.

If you would like to dress yourself, wear something comfortable, with movement and texture. Dresses are always nice, especially when they are loose and flattering, or jeans and a loose flowing top is a beautiful option. Wear something that will be easy to sit and have a possible tickle fight :)

Here are a few examples of clothing with movement and texture that I enjoy as well as the ideal colour palette (earthtones are the most timeless and richest colours in my opinion).

I feel like textures like lace, cotton, linen and even velvet have such beautiful play with light and shadow, and flowy loose fabrics give the vibe of relaxed and carefree vibe we are going for.

For dads and kiddos that you will be planning their outfits, just keep in mind to compliment, not match. So if one child is wearing a pattern, do not have that pattern repeated in another child or parent. Instead take a colour from that pattern and have it show up as a colour of a plain t-shirt or button up shirt for dad. Keep it casual-pretty. If shoes are a struggle, don’t worry because I often encourage bare feet for the photos, just because it is less to worry about and feels even more relaxed.

the most important thing is that you feel like yourself!

So if what I have shown above is not your style then please dress as you prefer, I only ask that you stay away from black, it is always in such a contrast to the natural colours of the environment we will be shooting in, so if you prefer darker colours, perhaps try a dark green or navy blue. Also small and delicate patterns are great, but nothing too distracting. And again, if you are not sure, bring options, I can help you choose what would work best as well :)

After the session

We will discuss in more detail at the session what to expect, but we will be meeting via zoom for the reveal of your photos, and you will be choosing your 5 digital images from a gallery of about 30+ images. I find the reveal is an important and lovely part of the experience, so it is a great idea to have your partner with you to see your gorgeous images. It is recommended that you attend the zoom meeting on your computer so that you can see your photos easier.

Please expect an editing turn around time of about 3 weeks.

What if I want more than 5 digital images? You can Upgrade!

If you love your photos and it is too hard to choose just 5 here are your options for upgrading your digital package!

If you would like to add 10 more digital images (on top of the 5 you already have purchased) - $200
If you would like to upgrade to take the entire gallery of images in full resolution - $350

Please note that these prices are non-negotiable, and do not include tax.

What about prints?

Often clients wish to purchase prints of their favourite images as gifts to themselves or their loved ones. You will have the opportunity to purchase prints at a discount of 45% off for THREE weeks after you receive your gallery. While you will have printing rights to the digital images you choose from your gallery, I cannot express enough the value and beauty of professionally printed images. You will be able to make these print purchases easily through your gallery shop, and the discount code can be used by you or anyone you choose to share your gallery with.

If you have any questions at all please text me at 514-462-1960 or email me!

And remember to enjoy this excuse to hang out with your favourite people in this world.

Thank you for choosing us to capture your beautiful family!